Summer Fishing

Snook are now closed for harvest here on the Gulf Coast. However some of the best catch and release action of the year is getting into full swing. With the water temperature of 80 degrees and climbing these fish are headed for the gulf to spawn. Feeding heavily on the out going tides near the passes. I like to target depressions in grass flats close to the passes. Fishing live bait under corks or cut bait right on the bottom with a just enough lead to keep the bait down. As the water continues to warm the fish will move out on the beaches, any structure close to shore is going to hold good fish.

Red Fish are seeing an incredible amount of pressure. There is a major tournament just about every weekend in Charlotte Harbor, along with multiple local tournaments. That alone is a testament to how good the red fishing can be here. With the tournaments though come pressure, with the pressure fish get spooky. I have been finding small schools of fish on several flats. Also seeing groups of 1 to 4 maybe 5 fish swimming along the sand bars at the edge of the grass. A well placed bait in front of these fish often entices a bite. Fish quietly and make long casts.

Tarpon are here, though still not in strong numbers. The deep holes in the center of the harbor at dawn has been seeing a few fish rolling. Also down in Pine Island Sound near the fish houses there have been reports of tarpon rolling on the flats. Boca Grande Pass is seeing a few pods of fish drop in and move through. We should start seeing good schools of fish along the beaches as well.

Fishing Tarpon on the beach is a stealth game. If you crash these fish with your motor running, or get to close to them you will send them gray hounding up the beach. Chasing them will only keep them running. Running Tarpon do not eat! When you see a pod of fish rolling or free jumping, get up wind from them a good distance. Drop your trolling motor in the water and ease into a position that will intercept the fish. Get a crab or large thread fin on a cork out in front of them and wait for them to come to it. If the fish are relaxed and daisy chaining one will eat your bait.

Congratulation to Mark LeClaire, he successfully caught and released a slot slam aboard my boat last weekend. His big trout measured 24 inches, his red fish was just shy of 26 inches and his Snook was a dandy fish measuring 32 ½ inches. He caught several other smaller snook and trout.

Get out and go fishing, it will bring a smile to your face.

Captain Tim Mills
Dhat-l-doit's Fishin Adventures
941-270-6172